This semester Golden West College began offering courses in Recycling and Resource Management (RRM) and students will use the campus as a Living Lab to demonstrate the benefits of recycling and resource management.

Greening the internal operations and engaging students, staff and faculty, is part of the goal. First they will conduct an inventory of current management practices; analyze the results, and then recommend strategic solutions, where possible, throughout the campus.

Courses will introduce the principles of zero waste; emphasize the cultural and global impacts of waste, and the benefits of resource minimization; while offering an in-depth analysis of best management practices for businesses and the local community.

Once the RRM courses are completed students will receive a certificate and have an opportunity to intern with local businesses. Should graduates decide to pursue an AA degree, they can use the completed courses as their degree emphasis, enabling them to transfer to a four-year university.

The program is funded by a Community-Based Job Training Grant awarded in 2010 by the U.S. Department of Labor. Efforts are made to provide job training for the unemployed, underemployed and those seeking career advancement in resource and materials management.

GWC is one of three colleges collaborating to bring the RRM Program to California. Partner-colleges include Santa Monica College and Irvine Valley College.

Golden West College will be participating in the
Huntington Beach Green Expo
on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the
Huntington Beach Pier from 9 AM to 5 PM.